Chapter 33: The Warm Inkstone
Chapter 33
Yuelai Hotel, next to Purple Bamboo Court.
Wen Qingyan sat on the sofa as his assistant reported the recent events to him.
"Brother Wen, we've figured it out. It seems Sister Zejun was tricked here by the director and investor of 'Sea Crabapple Still Blooms', but they didn't succeed. Thankfully, Sister Zejun's family arrived in time."
The assistant had been working with Wen Qingyan for a few years now and was quite familiar with Jing Zejun from their interactions during the "Sovereign" project.
Wen Qingyan had coincidentally booked a private room at the hotel for a gathering with friends. Just after seeing them off, he heard a commotion next door, with voices growing louder.
Wen Qingyan sent his assistant to check on the situation, never expecting it to involve Jing Zejun...
Upon hearing that Jing Zejun was next door, Wen Qingyan immediately stood up, ready to rush over. His assistant stopped him, assuring him that the situation had been resolved.
It was due to Wen Qingyan's concern that the assistant went to gather more details.
Tricked into having dinner? Worry flashed in Wen Qingyan's eyes, wondering what Jing Zejun had gone through.
He remembered that the director of "Sea Crabapple Still Blooms" was called Li Yu. Wen Qingyan furrowed his brow and looked up at his assistant, asking, "Was it Li Yu?"
The assistant nodded quickly, mentioning that he had seen the man earlier, who was probably still sprawled on the ground, seemingly having suffered a great shock.
Wen Qingyan pressed his lips together, deep in thought, recalling the director of that drama with a cold look in his eyes.
"Brother Wen, is Sister Zejun Mr. Jing's sister?" The assistant's voice interrupted his thoughts.
Wen Qingyan snapped back to reality, a hint of surprise in his eyes. He had assumed this news would have spread throughout Startrack by now, yet his assistant was unaware.
Of course, the assistant didn't know. Wen Qingyan had been busy with film-related matters recently, and as his assistant, he hadn't had the chance to return to Startrack, let alone hear about this news.
When he had seen Jing Zeqian carrying someone on his back earlier, he was so shocked he froze on the spot, thinking he must have seen wrong.
"If Miss Jing is Mr. Jing's sister, why did she still..."
Why did she still go to auditions herself? Why didn't she speak up when her script was stolen? Why didn't she reveal her identity at all?
These weren't the first time Wen Qingyan had heard such questions. He thought, if she had done those things, she wouldn't be Jing Zejun.
A slight smile tugged at Wen Qingyan's lips. Regardless of whose daughter she was, to him, she would always just be Jing Zejun.
"But Brother Wen, I saw another girl inside. She seems to be Sister Zejun's sister. I heard she was the one who beat up the investor, and quite severely too. I couldn't believe it; that girl looks so cute."
A girl? Was it the one called Jing Yi? The Jing Yi who had confronted Jiang Miaomiao and emerged unscathed?
Wen Qingyan had heard of Jing Yi's name, of course from the mouths of Startrack staff.
Jing Yi's story had been circulating in the company for almost a month now, given that she was not only Jing Zejun's acknowledged sister but had also managed to leave unharmed after provoking Jiang Miaomiao.
However, these weren't the issues Wen Qingyan was concerned about. "Go and find out about Zejun's condition, see if she's alright."
"Yes, Brother Wen!"
On the other side of the city, Jing Zejun and the others had arrived at a private hospital.
The doctor, holding the report, said to Jing Zeyou and the others, "There are still some traces of drugs in Miss Jing's system, but they're not harmful to her body. She might feel weak, but there's nothing serious to worry about."
Jing Beicheng looked at the sleeping Jing Zejun on the hospital bed with a serious expression. "Then why hasn't she woken up yet?"
"The drug components haven't been fully eliminated, but don't worry, she should wake up soon."
Not to mention it, but the Jing family's hospital visits had been quite frequent lately. Mrs. Jing had just been discharged not long ago, and now Jing Zeyou's sister was admitted.
Jing Zeyou was also helpless but wasn't in the mood to chat idly with his friend.
On the hospital bed, Jing Zejun slept peacefully. She had fallen asleep on the way to the hospital, unable to stay awake.
Lin Ruiqing stood by the bedside, watching Jing Zejun intently with worry in her eyes.
Jing Beicheng also stood nearby, silently keeping them company.
Last night, when Jing Beicheng saw that none of the four children had returned home, he sensed something might be wrong. He called everyone but no one answered, and he was about to go to the company to investigate.
But soon after, he received a call from Jing Zeyou saying they were all at the hospital.
Jing Beicheng and Lin Ruiqing rushed over overnight, and seeing Jing Zejun lying on the hospital bed nearly caused Lin Ruiqing to faint.
By now, the sky was starting to turn a hazy gray with the approaching dawn.
Jing Yi, unable to stay awake any longer, had fallen asleep on the sofa with a suit jacket draped over her.
Jing Zeqian, still sporting a black eye, sat beside Jing Yi, carefully applying medicine to her hand.
He had noticed last night that the back of her hand was red and swollen, not knowing how much force she had used. No wonder when he stepped in, that person had no strength left to struggle.
He hadn't expected this little girl to have an ace up her sleeve, not knowing she knew some scattered fighting techniques.
Seemingly uncomfortable in her sleep, Jing Yi moved slightly. Jing Zeqian quickly put away the medicine and pretended to be asleep.
Sensing no more movement beside him, he slowly opened his eyes.
Oh, she had just turned over. What a scare!
Jing Zeqian sighed in relief and leaned in again to gently apply medicine to her hand.
At this moment, the person on the hospital bed's eyelashes fluttered slightly, seeming to be on the verge of waking up.
Jing Zejun's eyes opened slightly, seeing Lin Ruiqing and Jing Beicheng's worried expressions, her eyes reddening.
"Mom, Dad."
"Junjun, you're awake! How do you feel? Are you still uncomfortable?"
Jing Zejun shook her head lightly, forcing a smile. "I'm not uncomfortable anymore."
She looked around, and Jing Zeyou approached, with Jing Zeqian also standing up.
Not seeing Jing Yi, she looked confused. "Where's Yiyi?"
Lin Ruiqing gestured towards the sofa, speaking softly, "She's asleep. She stayed up all night watching over you, only falling asleep at dawn."
Jing Zejun turned her head to look at Jing Yi lying on the sofa, the corners of her mouth turning up slightly.
"Big brother, I'm sorry for causing you all trouble."
Jing Zeyou frowned, disliking his sister's formality. "What are you saying? You're my sister, of course it's my responsibility to protect you. We're family."
Jing Zejun gave a weak smile.
"I've handed your drama to Startrack. That director won't be appearing in the entertainment industry anymore."
Jing Zejun nodded slightly, a hint of sadness in her eyes. "Was it for the investment?"
Jing Zeyou hesitated for a moment before nodding.
As expected, the director really cared about this drama, cared enough to betray her without hesitation.
"Junjun, don't think about these things now. Just rest more."
Lin Ruiqing interrupted the conversation, not wanting Jing Zejun to dwell on it further.